Zimbabwe announces new cyber security ministry

Published on 10 October 2017

By Tawanda Karombo

Zimbabwe has officially established a new Ministry of Cyber Security, Threat Detection and Mitigation as President Robert Mugabe's government follows up on the controversial Computer and Cyber Crimes Bill, in the process of being finalised.

The Bill has been criticised by media freedom campaigners and other human rights lobby groups who say it is likely to curtail social media usage inside the country.

On Monday evening Mugabe announced a cabinet reshuffle which saw Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa reassigned to head up the newly established Cyber Security Ministry.

Misheck Sibanda, chief secretary to the President and cabinet in Zimbabwe said in a statement released Monday evening that Mugabe had "in terms of the constitution of Zimbabwe" made "re-assignments and appointments" among them as follows.